Post by crudo on Mar 2, 2006 12:32:50 GMT -5
Councilman denies charge of racism
Fireworks flare at meeting to vote on church building
O'Bryant
By RICHARD T. ESTRADA
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: March 2, 2006, 04:17:51 AM PST
Will O'Bryant said Wednesday that he's not a racist, never has been and was stunned when he was accused of being one the night before during a Modesto City Council meeting.
"I'm not a racist," the councilman said. "I used a phrase I have used for years, and I'm sorry they misinterpreted it. I've been very conscientious while representing the people of Modesto."
O'Bryant was referring to his use of "you people" at the close of the meeting Tuesday night as the council was preparing to vote on New Bethany Baptist Church's request to build a 300-seat auditorium. The church has a predominantly black congregation.
After speaking to the council for 10 minutes on why New Bethany should be exempt from the city code requiring the church to provide off-street parking for its auditorium, one speaker said she never had seen the city act more biased against a project.
The speaker identified herself as Anita, a member of New Bethany. The Rev. Charles Ray Evins II said Wednesday that he could not disclose the woman's last name but that she remained distressed by Tuesday's events.
She then challenged O'Bryant to explain why the council and staff treated the church unfairly.
O'Bryant noted it was the third time the group had come to the council for a waiver and "each and every time we have tried to help you. I don't think that anybody … can say we were unfair … and the first time you people came to us and presented …"
At that point, Anita yelled at O'Bryant that it was demeaning to be called "you people" and walked out of the chamber. She was joined by others who had come to support the church, and they complained loudly as they left.
Even before Mayor Jim Ridenour tried to quiet the crowd, O'Bryant had apologized to people in the audience who might have misinterpreted his words.
"I'm not making excuses, because I didn't mean anything negative by the remark," O'Bryant said Wednesday. "What word do you use when referring to a large group of people? I apologized when I realized they were offended.
"We always talk about government and the people. It's sad if our social structure can take a word like 'people' and turn that into something racist. If anyone thinks I meant that in a racial way, they need to watch the tape and see how fast I apologize for it."
Four voted to waive regulation
Evins, addressing the council as a trustee of the church, said Wednesday he was not satisfied with the apology.
"There is a sense of distress over the situation," Evins said. "I feel in my heart that the individual not only owes the church an apology, but owes the community an apology. I never thought I'd hear this in the 21st century."
O'Bryant, whose earlier comments were supportive of the auditorium, joined Kristin Olsen, Bob Dunbar and Garrad Marsh in favor of waiving the parking regulation. The proposal was approved, 4-3.
"I was going to vote for it, even though it is setting a precedent, because I think we can address these situations on a case-by-case basis," O'Bryant said.
Despite the approval, Evins questioned the council's commitment to the city's churches.
"Each time I walk in the (council chambers), I see, 'In God we trust,' on the wall," he said. "After last night, I really wonder if the council believes in that the same way that I do. I believe the only reason we were successful is because the church maintains trust in God and will continue."
'Opportunity to bridge some gaps'
O'Bryant said his vote also was influenced by Olsen's comment that the existing building is 100 years old and because many of its events would be during evenings and weekends, when there is the least demand for parking downtown.
"Will has been as much in tune as anyone about trying to solve this parking problem," Dunbar said. "I've never had any reason to believe that he has any prejudicial thoughts at all."
Olsen agreed.
"The whole thing was a very unfortunate situation that caused hurt and offense on all sides," she said. "In no way do I believe Will intentionally offended them. I think what he said was misunderstood. On the other hand, I can understand how offense was taken. I see this as an … opportunity to … bridge some gaps."
Earlier in the evening Tuesday, Anita had demanded that Ridenour explain why there were no black members on the council. Ridenour told her that voters determine who sits on the council.
"It's a process of being elected," he said. "No one has come forward … ran and got elected."
Blacks are less than 4 percent of Modesto's population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The exchange followed a presentation about the ethnicity of city employees. While blacks are 2.27 percent of Stanislaus County's work force, according to the 2002 census, they account for 2.56 percent of city workers. The city figures are based on 2005 records.
According to data from the city, blacks are better represented in the city's work force than in the county overall in several categories:
Officials, 2.1 percent of the county work force in this category and 2.7 percent of the city's work force
Professionals, 2.1 percent (county) and 4.4 percent (city)
Skilled craftsmen, 1 percent (county) and 1.9 percent (city)
Administrative support, 2.7 percent (county) to 5.6 percent (city).
Blacks are underrepresented in the city vs. county in service maintenance (2.3 percent to 1.4 percent) and protective services (4.7 percent and 2.1 percent). The latter includes sworn police and fire employees.
Bee staff writer Richard T. Estrada can be reached at 578-2339 or restrada@modbee.com.
Fireworks flare at meeting to vote on church building
O'Bryant
By RICHARD T. ESTRADA
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: March 2, 2006, 04:17:51 AM PST
Will O'Bryant said Wednesday that he's not a racist, never has been and was stunned when he was accused of being one the night before during a Modesto City Council meeting.
"I'm not a racist," the councilman said. "I used a phrase I have used for years, and I'm sorry they misinterpreted it. I've been very conscientious while representing the people of Modesto."
O'Bryant was referring to his use of "you people" at the close of the meeting Tuesday night as the council was preparing to vote on New Bethany Baptist Church's request to build a 300-seat auditorium. The church has a predominantly black congregation.
After speaking to the council for 10 minutes on why New Bethany should be exempt from the city code requiring the church to provide off-street parking for its auditorium, one speaker said she never had seen the city act more biased against a project.
The speaker identified herself as Anita, a member of New Bethany. The Rev. Charles Ray Evins II said Wednesday that he could not disclose the woman's last name but that she remained distressed by Tuesday's events.
She then challenged O'Bryant to explain why the council and staff treated the church unfairly.
O'Bryant noted it was the third time the group had come to the council for a waiver and "each and every time we have tried to help you. I don't think that anybody … can say we were unfair … and the first time you people came to us and presented …"
At that point, Anita yelled at O'Bryant that it was demeaning to be called "you people" and walked out of the chamber. She was joined by others who had come to support the church, and they complained loudly as they left.
Even before Mayor Jim Ridenour tried to quiet the crowd, O'Bryant had apologized to people in the audience who might have misinterpreted his words.
"I'm not making excuses, because I didn't mean anything negative by the remark," O'Bryant said Wednesday. "What word do you use when referring to a large group of people? I apologized when I realized they were offended.
"We always talk about government and the people. It's sad if our social structure can take a word like 'people' and turn that into something racist. If anyone thinks I meant that in a racial way, they need to watch the tape and see how fast I apologize for it."
Four voted to waive regulation
Evins, addressing the council as a trustee of the church, said Wednesday he was not satisfied with the apology.
"There is a sense of distress over the situation," Evins said. "I feel in my heart that the individual not only owes the church an apology, but owes the community an apology. I never thought I'd hear this in the 21st century."
O'Bryant, whose earlier comments were supportive of the auditorium, joined Kristin Olsen, Bob Dunbar and Garrad Marsh in favor of waiving the parking regulation. The proposal was approved, 4-3.
"I was going to vote for it, even though it is setting a precedent, because I think we can address these situations on a case-by-case basis," O'Bryant said.
Despite the approval, Evins questioned the council's commitment to the city's churches.
"Each time I walk in the (council chambers), I see, 'In God we trust,' on the wall," he said. "After last night, I really wonder if the council believes in that the same way that I do. I believe the only reason we were successful is because the church maintains trust in God and will continue."
'Opportunity to bridge some gaps'
O'Bryant said his vote also was influenced by Olsen's comment that the existing building is 100 years old and because many of its events would be during evenings and weekends, when there is the least demand for parking downtown.
"Will has been as much in tune as anyone about trying to solve this parking problem," Dunbar said. "I've never had any reason to believe that he has any prejudicial thoughts at all."
Olsen agreed.
"The whole thing was a very unfortunate situation that caused hurt and offense on all sides," she said. "In no way do I believe Will intentionally offended them. I think what he said was misunderstood. On the other hand, I can understand how offense was taken. I see this as an … opportunity to … bridge some gaps."
Earlier in the evening Tuesday, Anita had demanded that Ridenour explain why there were no black members on the council. Ridenour told her that voters determine who sits on the council.
"It's a process of being elected," he said. "No one has come forward … ran and got elected."
Blacks are less than 4 percent of Modesto's population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The exchange followed a presentation about the ethnicity of city employees. While blacks are 2.27 percent of Stanislaus County's work force, according to the 2002 census, they account for 2.56 percent of city workers. The city figures are based on 2005 records.
According to data from the city, blacks are better represented in the city's work force than in the county overall in several categories:
Officials, 2.1 percent of the county work force in this category and 2.7 percent of the city's work force
Professionals, 2.1 percent (county) and 4.4 percent (city)
Skilled craftsmen, 1 percent (county) and 1.9 percent (city)
Administrative support, 2.7 percent (county) to 5.6 percent (city).
Blacks are underrepresented in the city vs. county in service maintenance (2.3 percent to 1.4 percent) and protective services (4.7 percent and 2.1 percent). The latter includes sworn police and fire employees.
Bee staff writer Richard T. Estrada can be reached at 578-2339 or restrada@modbee.com.